Group D: Nigeria v Bulgaria

Hristo Stoichkov will attempt to roll back the years this evening when Bulgaria's challenge for a place in the knock-out stages of the World Cup takes them across the path of Nigeria in the Parc des Princes.

It was Stoichkov's skill which lit the way to a celebrated win over Germany and carried them to a place in the semi-finals of the championship in America four years ago.

Since then, however, the 32-yearold striker has not quite delivered on his enormous reputation, a point illustrated in Bulgaria's disappointing scoreless draw with Paraguay in their first game here.

Now the burden of responsibility on the former Barcelona striker is greater than ever. Hristo Bonev, Bulgaria's manager, believes that he is in the mood to respond.

"Every time Stoichkov plays he is singled out by the opposition," said Bonev. "That was the case against Paraguay but Hristov, in form, is still capable of winning any game. I think this is the time for him."

After their inept showing in their first outing, not many will share Bonev's confidence that his team is capable of reproducing their American form, the more so since Nigeria have matured.

The Bulgarians will be without defender Anatoli Nankov, sent off against Paraguay. Midfielder Ilian Iliev is doubtful and says he will only play if he is fully fit.

Nigeria, despite their absence, for political reasons, from the last two African Nations Cups, continue to impress, as much for their athleticism as for the skills which stunned the football world on their way to the Olympic title in Atlanta in 1996.

Bulgaria lost 3-0 to Nigeria in 1994 before staging an amazing recovery to reach the semi-finals. Nigeria's captain Uche Okechukwu played down the importance of that result. "The game in 1994 was a long time ago, it's a different team and a different situation."

Nigeria plan to field an unchanged team from last Saturday with strikers Amokachi and Nwankwo Kanu recovered from injury and illness but expected to remain on the bench. Monaco striker Victor Ikpeba, the African footballer of the year, will therefore start along with the scorer of last week's winning goal Sunday Oliseh and midfielder Jay-Jay Okocha.

Spain will readily testify to the finishing power of the Nigerians after coming undone in their first game, and while Bulgaria's renowned defensive strategies will present a bigger test here, it may not be enough to blunt the Africans.

Probable Teams

Nigeria: Rufai; Oparaku, West, Ukechukwu, Babayaro, Ikpeba, Oliseh, Lawal, Okocha, Adepoju, George.

Bulgaria: Zdravkov; Ivanov, Kishishev, Petkov, Yankov, Balakov, Hristov, Yordanov, Kostadinov, Penev, Stoichkov.

Key Player: Taribo West

Age: 24. Club: Inter Milan.

Taribo West, the formidable Nigeran defender, will be returning to familiar territory when he runs onto the pitch in the Parc des Princes. It was here that he savoured his biggest triumph when helping Inter Milan to victory in the final of the UEFA Cup only a month ago.

Now he hopes to give added substance to his reputation as a mobile, all-purpose defender by restricting the influence of the spearhead of the Bulgarian attack, Hristo Stoichkov.

West helped Auxerre to win the French Cup and champion- ship in 1996. Strengths: Attacks the ball effectively in the air and has great pace in recovery. Weaknesses: Was caught out of position on more than one occasion in the recent game against Spain.